Champions Galea and Spiteri sound warning

On a day that marked a record number of triathletes taking part in the second race of this year's Birkirkara St Joseph triathlon series, national champions Dermot Galea and Danica Spiteri crushed all opposition to win emphatically, clearly sounding out that they will not relinquish lightly the crown they have won last year.

A record number of 39 triathletes and two relay teams, started the 750 metres swim at Salina Bay.

Race One winner Mark Zammit set his usual fast pace, ahead of Birkirkara SJ duo Galea and Luke Bonnici. However, due to a leg injury, the race leader, who completed the swim in 11 minutes 29 seconds, had to retire.

Galea, who was nine seconds ahead of Bonnici, set off on his bike following his 11 minutes 53 seconds swim. He practically wrapped up the race during the 20km cycle, which he finished in 30:55.

Bonnici, with a place on the podium in sight, registered a time of 32:39 on his bike, almost two minutes ahead of a group made up of Nathan Farrugia, Cliff Sultana and Brian Magri.

Magri's running prowess, however, proved too much for Bonnici.

In fact, Magri finished the final five-kilometre run in 17:08 to beat Bonnici for second place by 21 seconds, in an accumulated time of 1:05.45. Galea finished a comfortable first in 1:01.49.

Spiteri led Birkirkara girl Michelle Wood by four seconds in the swim with a time of 13:39.

The gap continued to widen by another 23 seconds in the bike segment, Spiteri starting the five-kilometre run following a 36:23 cycle.

Wood could not find the legs to sustain her challenge in the run, handing over victory to Spiteri who finished the race in 1:12.16, a margin of one minute and eight seconds on her rival.

Donatelle Callus finished third in 1:22.43.

The next race in the series will be held on Sunday at Salina Bay.